Working Detail: Yew Tree Lodge by Duggan Morris Architects

The design philosophy for this project focused on a constrained palette of materials, with emphasis on the accuracy and execution of material interfaces: landscape, windows, bricks and roof tiles.

The building is rigorously set out to a full brick module in stretcher bond, and, subsequently, the position of windows, bays and doors is set within a similar logic. The colour and tonal range of the materials palette, in which bricks, sills and tiles closely match, ensures a specific reading of the building as one of solidity.

This is further enhanced by aligning the windows flush to the face of the brickwork. Similarly, a recessed gutter is constructed within the roof, rather than mounted in a more traditional way on the face of the building below expressed eaves.

Yew Tree Lodge In contrast to this flush aesthetic, projecting bay windows are incorporated to the living rooms at the first floor, framing views out on to the landscape. These windows have steel frames clamped to the building’s face, finished with a continuous skin of steel and laminated to a timber subframe. The windows within the bays are pulled to the leading edge, and the surrounding flashing material is coloured to match the steel laminate, keeping the detailing simple and clean.

The residents of Yew Tree Lodge are making the fullest use of these cantilevered windows, personalising them with treasured artefacts and ornaments.

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